Agri-Food Incentives and Programs

Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program

A first come first serve program designed to support workplace COVID-19 prevention and COVID-19 outbreak management in the agri-business sector.

COVID-19 prevention applications will support the adoption of prevention and mitigation measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among agri-food workers/employees.

COVID-19 outbreak management applications will reimburse eligible applicants who have been impacted by outbreaks of COVID-19 and faced with extraordinary costs related to employee wage supports and worker/employee isolation.

The application deadline is February 1, 2022.

City of Hamilton Contact: Tyson McMann

Advancing Career Choice in Ontario’s Agri-food Sector Fund

A $1.5 million dollar fund designed to support industry-led industry-led projects that promote and attract jobseekers to careers in the agri-food sector, help them gain the skills and training needed to build a successful career, and ensure Ontario’s food supply chain is protected.

City of Hamilton Contact: Tyson McMann

Agri-Food Research Innovation Fund

A $2.76 million fund through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership) in Ontario-led agri-food research to develop new innovative technologies, practices, and solutions to make the sector more competitive and resilient.

The Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative will support 21 projects to provide Ontarios with safer, healthier, and more locally grown and made food items while boosting trade and rural economic development

City of Hamilton Contact: Tyson McMann

Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative

A $7 million initiative designed to rapidly increase processing capacity in meat processing plants across the province. The Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative will provide up to $150,000 per project for handling and processing equipment to increase efficiency, productivity and food safety. It will also cover consulting and engineering costs associated with planning future projects. The intake will open for applications on November 19, 2021.

City of Hamilton Contact: Tyson McMann

Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund

A $25 million fund over three years designed to strengthen the agri-food supply chain. This funding will incentivize industry investment in projects that help address the processing capacity shortage and increase the sector’s competitiveness and resilience against future disruptions. The Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund will provide grants of up to $3 million to agri-food processing businesses to invest in capital, equipment and technology. Funding for this program will launch in Spring of 2022.

City of Hamilton Contact: Tyson McMann

Increasing Deadstock Capacity Initiative

This cost-share initiative for increasing deadstock capacity targets livestock producers, other agri-businesses and municipalities that support planning, establishing, and/or managing deadstock to increase capacity for deadstock management.

Applicants can receive up to $25,000 as 50% of verified eligible expenses under this project.

City of Hamilton Contact: Tyson McMann

Mental Health Initiatives for Ontario Farmers

A $7 million dollar investment through two multi-year programs designed to support those working in agriculture. These programs will provide farm families across the province with free counselling services as well as help connect at-risk farmers with tailored support and resources.

The programs are scheduled to launch in early 2022.

City of Hamilton Contact: Tyson McMann